6_Neighbour
1209 Words
Aria
The endless pounding on the front door wakes me from my dreamless sleep. I look at Evan quickly, but he is sleeping like an angel through the noise.
“It could only be George or Suzie,” Maya says. “They’re the only ones that know we are here.”
“I hope you’re right,” I reply as I pull a gown over my pyjamas and rush to the front door. Does not matter who it is – I do not want them to wake Evan.
With fumbling fingers, I unlock and open the door. Stunned, I look at the plump woman in front of me. She has wild, red curls around her face and her mascara is smeared down her cheeks from crying.
“Please help,” she sobs. “I’ve locked myself out and my baby is all alone in the apartment.”
“Have you phoned a locksmith or the landlord?” I ask and I can clearly hear a child cry as I step outside.
“My phone is in the apartment,” she cries. “I only stepped out for a second to take out the trash and the door locked behind me. Please … I … please …”
“Do you know where the landlord stays?” I ask calmly.
“He’s on leave,” she sobs. “He’ll only be back next week. I’m new in town and I don’t know that many people yet.”
“It’s okay,” I try to calm her down while I weigh my options. I have not had the time to take note of the complex and do not know my way around it yet. I followed George into our unit and remained there the entire night.
“Which apartment is yours?” I ask as I look at the complex. It is a two-story building, which means I have neighbours upstairs and next to me. All the apartments are attached, facing the swimming pool in the centre.
“This one,” she points to the unit next to mine and I sigh in relief. If she were on the second floor, it would seriously limit my options.
“Come inside,” I take her hand and drag her into my apartment. “My son is sleeping in our room. Stay with him, I will be back with your baby.”
“What are you going to do?” She asks with big eyes as I rush to fetch my hiking boots.
“I’m going to break your door open,” I reply as I tie my boots.
“But …”
“Here’s my phone,” I cut her off and hold it out to her. “Phone George and inform him that we’ll be needing a new door.”
I do not wait around for her to protest or ask any more questions. The less I have to explain, the better.
“Ready Maya?” I ask as I approach the door. I will not be able to shift, but with her help, I will have enough strength to kick the door open.
“Hell, yeah,” Maya smirks. “Since we haven’t been on a run for days, I have tons of energy.”
I position myself sideways by the door and take my stance the way I was taught in the martial arts classes. I take a deep breath and do a sideways kick with all my strength. With the third kick, the wood around the lock splinters and with a fourth kick, the door is wide open. I rush inside and follow the sound of crying into the room.
“It’s okay,” I say in a soothing voice when I pick up the little girl that is red in the face from crying. “Come on, I’ll take you to your mommy.”
The little girl still screams murder, but she does not struggle when I cradle her to my chest and walk back to my apartment.
“Mandy!” The woman exclaims and rushes towards us.
I cannot help but smile as she takes the baby from my arms and holds her tightly. Quickly I walk to my room to check on Evan, but he is still fast asleep.
“Thank you so much,” the woman looks at me with gratitude. “I’m Nancy, by the way.”
“I’m Aria,” I smile. “I don’t have furniture, but if you don’t mind sitting on the floor, I can offer you something to drink until the repairman arrives. You did get hold of George, right?”
“Yes, I did,” she confirms and sits down on the floor. Little Mandy is now silent and playing with her mother’s curly hair. “Someone should be here in an hour.”
“Coffee?” I offer.
“No, I’m still breastfeeding,” she answers and starts unbuttoning her blouse to feed Mandy.
“Juice then,” I smile and pour each a glass before I go sit next to her.
“How old is Mandy?” I ask curiously.
“Eight months,” Nancy smiles as she looks lovingly at her daughter. “She’s the one that gave me the strength to get away from my husband.”
I do not say a word. Quietly, I listen to her story which is eerily similar to mine. But I guess all the women in these complex stories would be like this.
“I’m so happy now,” Nancy finishes her story. “I got a job as a line cook at the Four Seasons. I’ve always wanted to be a chef and now I can finally live my dream.”
“Who is looking after Mandy when you’re at work?” I ask. That is a great concern for me. I must find work, but what about Evan? Until now, I am his primary caretaker.
“George’s cousin babysits for me when I do nightshifts,” she replies. “And there is an excellent day-care not far from here.”
“Will you please give me the numbers?” I look at her pleadingly. “I need to find a job and cannot take Evan with me.”
“Of course,” she smiles. “But I’m not working today. If you’re comfortable with it, you can leave Evan with me for the day.”
“Are you serious?” I look at her in awe. “Will you be able to handle two tiny ones?”
“It would be my pleasure,” she assures me. “After all, it is the least I can do after you helped me today.”
“Thank you,” I say grateful and nearly hug her before I realize I would crush the feeding Mandy. “I’m going to get ready.”
By the time I am out of the shower, the handyman arrived to replace Nancy’s door. Fortunately, he does not ask questions. I feed and dress Evan before I take him next door. The second Evan sees all the toys, he is more than happy to say goodbye to me.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can,” I assure her and leave.
- Writer
